Welcome

Welcome to the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center at East Carolina University. As part of the Department of Intercultural Affairs within Student Involvement and Leadership at ECU, the LGBTQ Center works in conjunction with our sister centers, the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center and the new Women and Gender Office, to help prepare students with the knowledge, skills and values to succeed in a global, multicultural society. We strive to foster understanding and acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. The Peel LGBTQ Center works each day to develop tomorrow’s leaders to serve and inspire positive change.

Since our founding in 2011, we have served the entire ECU campus. Our new home is in Suite 209 in the Main Campus Student Center and we are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Our resources include: a lending library; information on campus, local, and national resources; and two computer workstations, in addition to a social area and offices for our staff. Throughout the year, we offer educational programs and events, and participate in national campaigns such as National Coming Out Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, World AIDS Day, “Gay? Fine by Me,” Bisexual Awareness Week, Asexual Awareness Week, and Transgender Day of Visibility. We invite you to visit the Peel LGBTQ Center–everyone is always welcome!

Opening Festivities mark landmark achievement

On Saturday, January 12, East Carolina University commemorated the opening of the newly named Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center, the largest center of its kind in the UNC system. More than 200 people participated in our Open House and Ribbon Cutting. The Grand Opening Celebration that evening was attended by 350 people! The gathering included alumni, faculty, staff, and community members, as well as friends and family of Dr. Jesse Peel who had traveled from across the region to mark this milestone in the history of the center.

On behalf of the staff and students served by the Peel LGBTQ Center, Intercultural Affairs, and the Division of Student Affairs, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took part in our opening festivities.

We look forward to seeing you again in the near future.

Spring 2019 Coffee House begins January 23

The Peel LGBTQ Center’s Coffee House begins regular weekly meetings on Wednesday, January 23 at 7 pm in the LGBTQ Center. Coffee House is a psychoeducational experience for students and intended to offer support and foster a sense of community. The 90-minute program covers a range of topics related to campus life, student success, and issues impacting the lives of LGBTQ students. Coffee, tea, and snacks are available each week.

LGBTQ Center Alternative Break Experience 2019

The Peel LGBTQ Center is once again participating in ECU’s Alternative Break Experience this year! We will be leading a trip to Atlanta, Georgia March 3-7. Our group will be volunteering with several non-profits which serve the LGBTQ community, including Lost- N-Found Youth (an incredible organization that serves homeless LGBT young people ages 13-25). The all inclusive cost is $300 and scholarships are available which help reduce the cost for the entire trip to $50.

Application deadline is January 25. Interviews will be conducted to select the 8 students who will go on the trip. ECU undergraduate and graduate students in good academic standing are eligible to apply.

Creating a Directory of LGBTQ+ Affirmative Providers

The Health Sciences Sexual and Gender Diversity Committee (SGDC) is developing a directory of LGBTQ+ Affirming Providers, and they invite health care providers to add their name and information to this list. The list of providers will be shared on the SGDC’s website, the LGBTQ Center’s website, and may be shared by or with other groups within and outside ECU. It will be viewable by the public, and it is intended as a resource to help connect LGBTQ+ patients with providers who affirm their commitment to providing welcoming and inclusive care for sexually and gender diverse patients.

If you are a healthcare provider and are interested in learning more, click here. Inquiries can also be directed to Dr. Brandon Kyle, chair of the SGDC, via email at kyleb@ecu.edu.

Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center

Scholarships for 2019/2020

Applications now open

First created in 2017, the Peel GBTQ Center Pride Scholarship and the Peel LGBTQ Center Equality Scholarship are each $500 scholarships made possible by the support of the LGBTQ Advancement Council with funds donated to the LGBTQ Priority Fund in Student Affairs Advancement. Scholarships are open to currently enrolled ECU undergraduate and graduate students.

The Peel LGBTQ Center Office Pride Scholarship is a merit-based award to recognize outstanding students who thrive academically and are committed to social justice and equality for the LGBTQ community at East Carolina University. The scholarship is available to current students in good academic standing, and is renewable annually. The Pride Scholarship was created to recognize academic excellence among students actively involved in the Peel LGBTQ Center who promote a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ students at East Carolina University.

The Peel LGBTQ Equality Scholarship is a need-based award to support students with a motivation to complete their degree and students with a demonstrated interest in supporting the Peel LGBTQ Center. The scholarship is available to current students in good academic standing, and is renewable annually. The Equality Scholarship was created in recognition of the financial need of some LGBTQ students whose life circumstances may create economic hardship due to limited or no family support. Further, the Equality Scholarship is designed to support students to achieve success by easing some of the stress of financial hardship.